News

Three months ago, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders boss Mike Hawes said it “felt like you were being punched on all sides”.

But the government’s new UK Modern Industrial Strategy is one of a number of developments that makes Hawes “a bit more optimistic” about the future.

An automotive-specific trade deal with the Trump administration – the only one signed and in force of its kind in the world – is another reason for hope. People have even stopped asking him about Brexit…

Hawes credits this government, and in particular business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, for giving meaningful support to the industry. To that end, it is “encouraging” that there are references to the automotive industry “liberally sprinkled” throughout the strategy, which was announced at Horiba MIRA the day before Hawes’s SMMT Summit, in a further sign of automotive’s importance.

The government’s strategy is both to attract inward investment and ensure cross-government support, making sure decisions are made with automotive in mind. Its 10-year length also makes for a more stable environment for investment. It confronts the UK’s high energy costs, although crossgovernment support for UK competitiveness will no doubt be tested at some point to ensure savings here aren’t undermined by making other areas more expensive, such as with labour costs going up due to recent national insurance hikes on employers.

In reference to the fading Brexit turmoil, Hawes said: “Despite everything going on globally, the UK is seen as being more stable than over the past decade.”

One of the strategy’s goals for UK car production is to get to 1.3 million units by 2035, almost 50% up on today. Hawes said that to do so will require “new entrants”, most likely from China. A manufacturer looking to invest in the UK now has more reason to do so than before the strategy’s publication.

The UK’s diplomatic efforts with China, Europe and the US have led to better relationships across the board, keeping tariffs low and ensuring the UK can be a global export hub. The India trade deal could present opportunities, too.

Hawes is well aware that attracting new investment is “fiercely competitive”, while our domestic market’s switch to EVs is lagging. He said substantive incentives that “make a difference to consumer sentiment and build the momentum you need” are required.

Yet the past few months have reassured Hawes there is a keen interest in cars, their technology and manufacturing. “The government, or the mainstream media, wouldn’t give it that much attention if it didn’t matter both politically and to individuals,” he said. “It has a tremendous amount of relevance and importance to people.”

The Kia EV4 Fastback, the brand’s first electric saloon, will arrive in September priced from £40,895.

Sold alongside the Europe-made EV4 hatchback, the Fastback is expected to be more of a niche seller in the UK given it has been designed as more of a global model for the Korean firm – similar to the positioning of the Audi’s A6 Saloon compared to A6 Saloon.

In the UK, the Fastback, to be built in Korea, draws power exclusively from a 81.4kWh battery (compared to the entry £34,695 hatch’s 58.3kWh pack).

It is the most aerodynamic model Kia has ever made with a drag coefficient of 0.23Cd (thanks in part to active front air flaps), which helps the car achieve up to 380 miles of range from a single charge.

What’s more, its 400V system allows for a 10-80% charge in 31 minutes.

Power comes from a 201bhp front motor that can push the car to 62mph from standing in 7.9secs.

With those figures and starting price, this positions the Fastback squarely at Tesla’s Model 3.

It is sold in two trims, GT-Line and the £45,395 GT-Line S.

Inside, it is the same layout as the hatch: a 12.3in segments for infotainment and instrumentation, divided by a 5.3in climate panel. Boot space is rated at 490-litres

Order books are now open, with deliveries to begin from September.